Stories

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson (ASN: 35112223), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 26 March 1945, in Germany. During the crossing of the Rhine River near Gernsheim, Germany, Technical Sergeant Chilson distinguished himself by his coolness, bravery, and aggressiveness. When the leader of the Second Platoon, the assault platoon of the company, was wounded, he, by his own initiative, assumed command and quickly organized the platoon into a compact, efficient assault force and with vigor and keen judgment led his force along the river bank. Despite heavy and intense enemy fire of all types and all calibers, he, because of his exceptional self-sacrifice and disregard of his personal safety, performed outstandingly intrepid actions, resulting in the death of eleven enemy soldiers and in the capture of a total of two hundred and twenty-five prisoners. In addition, Technical Sergeant Chilson personally destroyed an ammunition vehicle and two heavy machine guns and made possible the capture of two other heavy machine guns and the destruction of three enemy flak vehicles. The brilliant and exemplary leadership and superior devotion to duty which characterized his accomplishments, contributed directly to the company's combat success and reflect the highest credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Distinguished Service Cross (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson (ASN: 35112223), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 25 April 1945, in Germany. When the enemy opened up with 20-mm. guns on the company's positions shortly after entering the town of Meilenholen, Germany, Sergeant Chilson quickly observed their positions and moved a jeep, armed with a machine gun, to the middle of the street and opened fire. In the ensuing action, he personally knocked out two flak guns, one 88-mm. gun, rendered another 88-mm. useless by knocking out it's crew and killed approximately 40 enemy riflemen. When our reconnaissance troops advanced to take the town of Zell, they were halted by 20-mm. flak fire. Sergeant Chilson quickly mounted a motorcycle, abandoned by the enemy and riding in front of the reconnaissance troop located six more 20-mm. guns. One flak gun opened fire on him from a distance of about 50 yards and his motorcycle was shot from under him. He hit the dirt, rolled over, jumped to his feet, and ran directly towards the gun position and threw a grenade. This action killed three members of the enemy crew and knocked out the gun. Returning to the lead tank, he directed their fire upon the remaining five flak guns which were subsequently destroyed. Sergeant Chilson has always been an inspiration to the men of his company and his intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Distinguished Service Cross (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster) Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson (ASN: 35112223), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 27 April 1945, in Germany. While engaged in taking the town of Neuberg, Germany, Sergeant Chilson and his platoon were halted by intense automatic weapons fire coming from a second story apartment house. Realizing that unless the enemy was knocked out immediately, a large number of casualties would be inflicted upon his platoon, Sergeant Chilson, with complete disregard for his own safety, rushed across the fire-swept street and into the house. Racing up the stairs to the second floor, he tossed a high explosive grenade into the room, killing two members of the enemy machine gun crew and capturing eight. He then called his platoon forward and they occupied the building without a casualty. Later, as one of his squads was moving into the next house, they were halted by automatic rifle fire which came from a courtyard. Again Sergeant Chilson came forward, and, tossing a white phosphorous grenade into the courtyard, assaulted the enemy position. Firing his carbine with his left hand after being wounded in the right arm by an enemy bullet, he killed two of the enemy and captured a third. His daring and utter disregard for his own personal safety is worthy of the highest praise. Technical Sergeant Chilson's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders No. 60 (27 February 1946), Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army

Silver Star Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson (ASN: 35112223), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action near Denshein, France, on 24 November 1944. As his platoon was accomplishing its mission of cutting the main road leading from Denshein, it was suddenly halted by enemy machine gun and rifle fire from a German road block. Setting his machine gun up as a base of fire, Technical Sergeant Chilson moved forward alone through the heavy enemy fire and, under cover of darkness, out-flanked the enemy position, crawling to within twenty yards of the road block from where he threw two hand grenades and then opened fire with his sub-machine gun, killing three Germans and forcing nine more to surrender. Technical Sergeant Chilson's action not only enabled the company to cut the road but materially aided in the capture of Denshein. His gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Silver Star (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson (ASN: 35112223), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action on 31 March 1945. When the platoon was moving down to Horsental, Germany, the enemy opened up with heavy fire from two flak vehicles behind the town, and, at the same time, enemy riflemen and machine gunners commenced fire from positions in front of the town. Quickly grasping the situation, Technical Sergeant Chilson ran back three hundred yards, through the heavy fire, mounted the top of a tank, and rode it back to a position suitable for delivering counter-fire. Although the flak and machine gun fire was continuous, he remained in his exposed position in order to obtain maximum observation and to give detailed fire orders. Technical Sergeant Chilson's aggressive and unselfish action in the course of which six enemy soldiers were killed and seven captured, and his heroic devotion to duty, were a deciding factor in the success of military operations, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.

General Orders No. 269 (1946), Headquarters, U.S. Forces, European Theater

Legion of Merit Citation

Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson, 35 112 223, Infantry, Army of the United States, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services as Platoon Sergeant, Company "G", 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, from 26 March 1945 to 31 March 1945. When the leader of the assault platoon was wounded and put out of action during the crossing of the Rhine River, Technical Sergeant Chilson assumed command and led his platoon from its assault on the east bank of the Rhine through the assault on Horsental, Germany. In addition to leading the unit in a conspicuously outstanding and gallant manner while it was the spearhead of an important attack, he displayed great heroism in a series of actions, which proved a main factor in his company's successes and assured the advance of the assault platoon with a low rate of casualty. Technical Sergeant Chilson's exceptional leadership, courage, and exemplary soldierly conduct reflect the highest credit upon him and the armed forces of the United States.

Bronze Star Medal (Valor) Citation

Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson, 35 112 223, Infantry, Army of the United States, for heroic achievement in connection with military operations, as Platoon Sergeant, Company "G", 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Technical Sergeant Chilson displayed exemplary courage, boldness, and initiative in leading a five-man combat patrol into Obernau, Germany. Completely disregarding his personal safety, under intense enemy small arms fire, he executed his hazardous task in an outstandingly successful manner, gaining invaluable information on the enemy defensive position and eliminating the heavily defended strongpoint in a close range fire fight, thus enabling the company to enter and clear the town with a minimum of difficulty and to continue its advance. Moreover, at the risk of his life, he exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to rescue a wounded man of his crew. Technical Sergeant Chilson's unselfish and brave devotion to duty reflect the greatest credit upon him and the armed forces of the United States.